This Means War

Chapter 7 ~ Is Taylor A Boyfriend-stealing-lying-hoe-cheater-of-an-ex-bff?

Sunday morning  was peaceful. Vinny was out with friends, and I figured it included Cade. So I decided to hang out at Lauren's house. Ariana had decided to crash there after the party since she "didn't want to rock the boat", meaning Cade and I. They still didn't know about Cade and I, and I was hesitant to tell them. I didn't exactly know why, I just was.

It was about 10 a.m., and I had to be home around 5 for dinner because my mom's flight was at 7. We decided to just hang out, and all they could do was talk about the party. Apparently, Lauren was getting close to Justin - the baseball player she'd been talking to at the party. He wanted to go out on Tuesday night. However, Lauren didn't want to tell her cyber paramour about Justin in fear of how he'd react.

Ariana, on the other hand, was having great luck with Vinny. They'd been texting non-stop. I don't know how neither of them made the connection before - all the times they've been around each other because of me. I was happy for them both. Vinny was always very tense, Ariana too. They both need someone to . . . loosen them up (eew gross, picturing them now. Ugh). 

"So where were you and Cade yesterday? I came over and Vinny said you were with him." Ariana asked. I didn't know Vinny had known, I guess Cade must've told him.

"We were. . . out."

"Doing what?" Ariana raised an eyebrow, now suspicious. I slightly groaned.

"If I tell you two something, you have to promise not to tell anyone."

"Who would we tell anyway?"

"Cade asked me to be his girlfriend." They both gasped, but then Lauren spoke.

"And what did you say? Yes?" I nodded and Ariana smiled. "So your plan is going great." Lauren continued speaking, and I nodded.

"Why the long face then." Ariana asked and I looked at them both and sighed.

"I realized what I'm doing. I am using someone to hurt someone else. I am not only going to hurt Taylor, I'm going to hurt Cade."

"Are you actually starting to care about him?" Lauren asked.

"I mean, I just realize that he's a living breathing human being. And he really likes me and I just. . . I feel like such a terrible person."

"You could always back out." Ariana offered. I didn't speak because I began thinking about it. Could I really back out. Could I just tell Cade I couldn't be his girlfriend and hide the rest of the year and fly through Senior year un-noticed. It sounded so . . . easy and - honestly - boring. I want to remember high school. I want to be proud of the things I accomplished, and I don't want that crown to boost Taylor's way-too-inflated ego.

Lauren took me home and I made it the same time as Vinny was getting back home. After dinner, Vinny drove Mom to the airport and I was left with my thoughts. I decided to call Lauren and speak to her more about the Cade plan.

"Remember a few days ago when I had the thought that maybe keeping Cade a secret wasn't the way?"

"What is that evil, pretty head of yours got brewing?"

"What if I use Cade to get me back in? I mean, just because I go to Prom with him, it can't be enough to win. We can run as the black horse candidates against the reign of Taylor. A popular girl risen from the ashes, ready to take back her crown."

"I like it." I smiled at the sound of Lauren's voice. "So how are you gonna play this with Taylor?"

"She wants to play below the belt, I know exactly where to hit her where it hurts."